The Secret Power of I, IV, V (and beyond!)

Description

In this lesson, we'll take a look at how you can use basic chord theory to help you to compose a song or chord progression in which the chords are likely to sound intuitively pleasing together.

For starters, let's create a progression that is four measures long. Using the I, IV, V, and VI chords, place them in random order amongst the four measures.

Using whatever strumming or fingerpicking pattern is comfortable for you, try playing the progression several times over.

Do you like the way it sounds?

If not, make changes. Swap one chord for another. Rearrange the chords. Try something else from the list of likely options. Experiment. Change your strumming or fingerpicking technique.

Continue to experiment until you find a string of chords that you like the sound of.

Try growing it into an eight-measure phrase, and you're beginning to write your own song.

Write it down or record it so you don't lose the beginnings of your masterpiece!

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Note: This is lesson #10 in a series of 11 lessons on Basic Chord Theory for guitar.
If you happened to join us partway through, feel free to go back to Lesson 1 to catch up! (click)